Flying from London to Bucharest: what you need to know
London has plenty of airports where you can start your journey. Check out your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when planning your flight from London to Bucharest. Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the city's other main bases.
Disembark at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), the major arrival point in Bucharest.
The average time for a direct London to Bucharest flight is 3 hours 10 minutes.
Bucharest's timezone is UTC+2, making Bucharest two hours ahead of London.
With 14 flights a week between the two airports, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from London to Bucharest with British Airways at 08:45. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest departure from LHR to OTP is with British Airways at 19:40.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your London to Bucharest flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Bucharest
To pick up cheap London to Bucharest flights, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from London to Bucharest across every month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from London to Bucharest by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your London to Bucharest flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Jet off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a nonstop flight from London to Bucharest. From LHR, you can land directly at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).
British Airways is a leading airline that offers direct London to Bucharest plane tickets from LHR.
We make it a cinch to book a London to Bucharest flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from London Heathrow Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Stuttgart Airport (STR)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of London, LHR can be reached in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour.
In search of a convenient hotel close to London Heathrow Airport? If you've booked an early flight from London to Bucharest, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
When it comes to the on-time performance of London Heathrow Airport, 68.18% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Consider booking your direct flight from London to Bucharest out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Nonstop services from LGW will get you to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).
Wizz Air Malta offers direct London to Bucharest plane tickets from LGW. Book your preferred window seat and get to your destination in a single hop.
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your London to Bucharest flight, browse these options when departing from London Gatwick Airport:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
You can reach LGW from central London in about 1 hour 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride by public transport will take roughly 30 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from London to Bucharest, take it easy in one of these hotels near London Gatwick Airport:
London Gatwick Airport has an on-time performance rate of 69.26%. This figure reflects how often flights that depart from this airport arrive on time.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Stansted Airport (STN) offers convenient direct flights from London to Bucharest. Your trip from STN will have you touching down at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).
Take off from STN with Ryanair. This well-known airline offers direct London to Bucharest plane tickets.
You can book a ticket from London to Bucharest with a stop or two out of Stansted Airport (STN). Here are some of the most popular stopovers between STN and Bucharest:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Pisa International Airport (PSA)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
The trip to STN from central London is around 1 hour 25 minutes by public transport. If you're in a car, it'll take you about 1 hour to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Make departure day worry-free — stay close to Stansted Airport and know you'll make it to your gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you have an early London to Bucharest flight:
Flights that leave from STN arrive at their destination within the expected time frame 64.73% of the time.
Arriving in Bucharest
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) to central Bucharest takes around 35 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from London to Bucharest. Reserve one of these accommodation options near OTP instead:
Pick up a Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport rental car and discover Bucharest and beyond with your own wheels. Klass Wagen, Pricecarz and Surprice are popular providers you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport about one week ahead of your departure.
Best time to go to Bucharest
April is the quietest month for flights from London to Bucharest, while July is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Bucharest based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in a London to Bucharest ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Bucharest to range from 17ºC (63ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -9ºC (16ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Search for cheap flights from London to Bucharest around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Bucharest
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Bucharest right here. Check out these hotels after you've booked your flight from London to Bucharest:
Museum of the Palace of the Parliament and Old Town are just the start of the major attractions to put on your Bucharest itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Herastrau Park.
Explore more of Romania
You've done Bucharest, now it's time to explore more of Romania. Journey around 322 kilometres north to Iasi to tick off its leading sights. From Palace of Culture to Saint Nicholas Church and Golia Monastery, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If you want to check out another great destination in Romania, head for Cluj-Napoca, about 322 kilometres north-west of Bucharest. St. Michael's Church, Hoia Baciu Forest and Banffy Palace are key reasons to visit.